Tokay looking for rare win over West

It's been seven years since the Tokay football team went to the playoffs. It's also been seven years since the Tigers beat West.

Tokay may be headed to the playoffs regardless of the outcome of tonight's season finale against the Wolf Pack, but the Tigers would be feeling a lot better if they ended with a 7-3 record and a victory over a team that has dealt out its fair share of victories over Tokay in the past.

"We talked to the seniors about last year's game (when Tokay lost 47-9). We were embarrassed and did not compete last year," said Tokay head coach Louis Franklin. "We all have bad taste in our mouth and know we are going to have to play well to beat West."

The Wolf Pack (2-7) is down this season after fielding playoff-worthy teams for years. Tokay, on the other hand, is having its best season since 2002. With running backs like Patrick McCarthy and Michael Hernandez, as well as a big offensive line, the Tigers have been led by their ground game. McCarthy needs a little over 100 yards to break the 1,000-yard mark on the season.

The Tokay defense is only giving up 15.4 points per game this season. Last week, McCarthy, a linebacker, broke the Tokay career tackles record of 257 previously held by Scott Gaines (2003-04). McCarthy enters the West game with 268 tackles in his career.

Lodi at Tracy

There are a few scenarios that would put Lodi in the playoffs. The Flames have to beat Tracy (by more than 13 points) in tonight's regular-season finale at Tracy for any of them to be legitimate.

Then the Flames have to hope Chavez can beat Lincoln or that five wins would be enough to get an at-large playoff berth.

Lodi head coach isn't looking at any of those factors however, he just wants his team to go out and play a good game.

The Flames are coming off a 55-34 win over Chavez. Lodi's offense is led by Jordan Perkins, who has rushed for 1,340 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, and quarterback Collin Rhoads, who's thrown for 961 yards and six TDs. Both will need a big night to keep pace with a potent Tracy offense that has the Bulldogs sitting undefeated.

"They have a great line, a big physical back, a big fast back and a QB that is very patient with his ball handling," Dillon said. "We have to keep them off the field offensively."

Cordova at Galt

The Warriors are fighting for more than finishing with a .500 record. With a win tonight against Cordova, Galt's dim hope for the playoffs will stay alive.

Week 10 prep football schedule

Thursday's Games
Stagg 18, McNair 0
Union Mine 23, Roseville 3

Today's Games
Lodi at Tracy, 7:30 p.m.
West at Tokay, 7:30 p.m.
Cordova at Galt, 7:15 p.m.
Bear Creek at Franklin, 7 p.m.
Lincoln at Chavez, 7:15 p.m.
Edison at St. Mary's, 7:15 p.m.
Chr. Bros at Vista del Lago, 7:15 p.m.
Oak Ridge at Ponderosa, 7:15 p.m.

Saturday's Game
Elliot at Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage, 1 p.m.

Facing the only other Sierra Valley Conference team with only one win, a Galt victory would give the Warriors the two-league win minimum to qualify for the playoffs. Then they would just have to hope that five wins would give them an at-large bid in the section's new playoff system.

The SVC has been tough this year, with three teams ranked in the top 32 of the Division I/II teams. The Warriors have been hit hard by injuries and struggled after getting off to a 3-0 start this season.

With starting running back Haran Piggee gone for the season with a shoulder injury, Jerren Crisologo will continue to take the majority of the carries in the backfield for the Warriors. Quarterback Ryan Cox, who is averaging 124.6 yards passing every game, will also look help Galt move the ball on offense.

Elliot at Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage

Elliot's looking to end its season on a two-game winning streak. Sierra Ridge/Rite of Passage is hoping it can get its first Harvest Christian League win of the season.

Playoffs may not be in the picture, but there's sure to be a lot of pride riding on Saturday's Elliot-Sierra Ridge/ROT game that is the season finale for both teams.

The Eagles broke a three-game losing streak last week with the help of seniors Robby Freed and Nathan Fickert, who returned from injury. Fickert caught a touchdown pass in his first game of the year and quarterback John Johnson completed 7 of 16 passes for 124 yards.

Reader Feedback

RUFKM wrote on Nov 13, 2009 9:13 AM:

" this would be a major accomplishment if the flames we able to compete and win against tracy.

the flames had to much drama this year, otherwise their record could have been much different. "

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Bulldog wrote on Nov 13, 2009 6:58 AM:

" Hey LNS - don't you want to even mention that if Lodi can pull off the win, they would be Co-Champions of the SJAA?

That is huge. That would make the season a huge success regardless of the playoff scenarios.

I know it is a stretch - Tracy is a very good team.

How could LNS miss the fact of Lodi playing for a piece of a championship? Very poor reporting. "

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